These are not just “Peterborough” or “High School” productions. There is dedication, passion, commitment and talent in this city and it is shining. More so, there is a real sense of community within the arts. Performers, directors, stage hands, musicians, dancers and family and friends of all those groups go to see the others perform. Photo: Quin Shearer taking a bow with the company of Aida. Photo by Celia Fehr. Our son, Quin knew he wanted to be an actor from a young age and started taking improv lessons when he was 8 years old. He was in a couple of plays in public school, and performed a comedy routine for his classmates while they were away on a weekend trip, so having him apply for the integrated arts program was not a complete surprise. What happened when he got there was. Some way along the line Mr. Russell told him that if he wanted to make it in the business, he would have to be a triple threat: act, dance and sing. Quin took that advice and signed up for dance at TAS and started voice lessons once a week. I should say at this point that Quin was fortunate enough to have a group of exceptional teachers in Drama, Dance and Musical Theatre. Towards the end of high school his performance and rehearsal schedule could only be described as insane as he often left one rehearsal for another. I knew musical theatre in this city had somehow transformed when we saw Rent. I guess I had certain expectations based on historical information, but the performances we have seen in the last few years in Peterborough are re-writing history and this includes the musical theatre productions at TAS like Aida. These are not just “Peterborough” or “High School” productions. There is dedication, passion, commitment and talent in this city and it is shining. More so, there is a real sense of community within the arts. Performers, directors, stage hands, musicians, dancers and family and friends of all those groups go to see the others perform. What did this mean as a parent? It meant a lot of time in the car driving to/from events, rehearsals, auditions and shows. It meant getting off work and driving home for an hour and getting in the car to drive to another city to see someone else perform and then singing the songs at the top of our lungs on the way home. It meant eating fast food in the car, waiting when the rehearsals went long, opening night jitters and closing night parties. Most importantly it meant an expanded family. Guest Writer & "Theatre Kid Parent," Doug Shearer Doug's son, Quin, as Mereb in T.A.S's production of Aida in 2015. Photos by Celia Fehr.
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AuthorOur blog and website is managed by T.A.S. Musical Theatre staff and students. Guest writers are also welcome - contact us if you'd like to contribute. Archives
January 2018
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